Leading gay rights group to wait until 2012 to fight Prop 8

A protester opposed to Proposition 8 waves a flag at a demonstration in Los Angeles in 2008. Photograph: David McNew/Getty

The fight over Prop 8 in California will have to wait, says one gay rights group. The influential Equality California says it will not ask voters to repeal the golden state's ban on same-sex marriage until 2012.

Organisers spoke to campaign consultants, donors and community leaders and determined 2012 would be the best year to introduce a measure to overturn Proposition 8. It will, the group says, give them more time to persuade voters to back their cause and raise money.

Activists have been divided over when to go back to the polls since the ban on gay marriage passed in last November's election. Some say the Prop 8 fight should take place sooner rather than later.

Those advocating for an earlier vote include the Los Angeles-based Courage Campaign, which announced today it would continue a push to place a measure on the 2010 ballot.

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